Ring in the new year, but plan now, at these Hudson Valley, city sites

Newcomers and lifelong residents alike can use the arrival of 2018 as an excuse to take a trip to some of the many exciting locales in the valley. Video by Barbara Gallo Farrell/Poughkeepsie Journal
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A beer flight at Cousins Ale Works. The brewery ishosting its inaugural new Year's Eve party with an open bar, an international food buffet and music.(Photo: Patrick Oehler/Journal file)

Whether your New Year’s Eve is shaping up to be romantic or platonic, there are a lot of parties between the Hudson Valley and New York City from which to choose. Consider the ones I’ve rounded up here or explore more on Facebook, and whatever you choose, don’t forget to make reservations.

Take part in the What Happens at Monte Carlo murder mystery game at The Bad Seed Cider Company (43 Baileys Gap Road, Highland; 845-236-0956; www.badseedhardcider.com), then head to the open bar, dine on artisanal small plates, toast with Champagne at midnight and stick around for the after-hours dance party. Tickets start at $70.

Cousins Ale Works (1582 Route 9, Wappingers; 845-293-2739; cousinsaleworks.com) is having its inaugural New Year’s Eve party starting at 9 p.m. There will be an open bar with liquor from Denning’s Point Distillery, wine from Benmarl Winery and beers brewed in-house, plus an international food buffet. Tony Flash from K104 will be deejaying and a 50-50 raffle will be part of the festivities.

Lydia’s Café and Bar (7 Old US Highway 209, Stone Ridge; 845-687-6373; lydias-cafe.com) is starting its New Year’s Eve party with a three-course prix fixe dinner at 7 p.m., follow by dancing and a Champagne toast at midnight. $65 per person.

New Year’s Eve with Mill Creek (17 Route 376, Hopewell Junction; 845-226-8714; millcreekcaterers.com) includes an open bar, cocktail hour, five-course dinner, dancing and a Champagne toast when the ball drops. Before heading home, grab a snack from the Midnight Munchie Bar. $121 per person.

Shadows on the Hudson in Poughkeepsie will have three seatings between 4-9 p.m. for its three-course dinner New Year's Eve.(Photo: Courtesy photo)

Shadows on the Hudson (176 Rinaldi Blvd., Poughkeepsie; 845-486-9500; www.shadowsonthehudson.com) will have three seatings between 4-9 p.m. for its three-course gourmet dinner. Prices start at $49.95 per person.

If you’re longing to be in Times Square to ring in 2019, save yourself from the crowd and stay at the R Lounge instead (Two Times Square, 714 Seventh Ave. at W. 48th Street; 212-261-5200; rloungetimessquare.com). You’ll get a perfect view of the fun and breakfast the following morning. You could also skip Manhattan completely and head to Brooklyn instead, where there’ll be free music and fireworks at Prospect Park.

Lindsay Pietroluongo writes about nightlife in the Hudson Valley for the Poughkeepsie Journal. Email her at lindsaypietro@gmail.com